The Vanderheyden has announced a 185th Anniversary Legacy Exhibit and Cocktail Reception has been set for Thursday, October 25th at the Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS), 57 2nd Street in Troy, from 6 to 8 pm. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 pm.
E. Stewart Jones will be Honorary Chair. Attendees can see many of Vanderheydens artifacts throughout the years in the exhibit, including many never-before seen photos from the Troy Orphan Asylum and the Fairview Home for Friendless Children, the original handwritten book from 1833 with Vanderheyden’s Constitution and early Board minutes, memorabilia left by the children, it’s 1892 Spring Avenue cornerstone items, the 1863 Meneely Bell from the former Eighth Street and Spring Avenue, Troy locations which is in safekeeping at the Hudson-Mohawk Industrial Gateway Museum in Troy.
Artifacts will be on display at RCHS after the 25th for a short while.
Since eggs were a big part of the diet of the children, hors d’oeuvres including deviled eggs will be served. Since the children ate chocolate for breakfast, 185th commemorative candy bars will be given out.
Former residents of the Troy Orphan Asylum will speak about their experience there, including 92-year old Marion Manchester.
Tickets are available on Vanderheyden’s website. For more information, contact Cathy at (518) 874-4901.
The Vanderheyden/Troy Orphan Asylum exhibit at the RCHS will be open until around December 1st.
My mother and her siblings grew up there. She was born in 1933 and the last name was Frazier. She’s been telling us about her childhood and all about the orphanage. She’s been asking if it’s still standing?
My mother and siblings spent many yrs at this Orphanage my mother was the youngest placed at 2 days old Charlotte,Lillian,Helen, Betty, brother Clarence Gokay.
My father and my aunt told us their aunt or great aunt I do not remember which, Mother Ambrose “was in charge” at the Troy Orphanage probably around 1920’s or 30’s or even earlier and that she is buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery at the top of Mann Ave. in Troy. Their mother would have them bring clothes to Mother Ambrose for the children. Has anyone heard of her or know anything about her? My dad and his parents and 11 siblings lived in South Troy. Thank you, Joyce Kelly-Feeley